A male prison officer at HMP Styal has received a suspended sentence. He had sex with a woman the day after she left the jail.
The officer, 47 and a father of two, booked a Premier Inn room to meet the woman, who was 28. She had moved into an Approved Premises hostel on her release.
Chester Crown Court heard that the pair first met at the prison in February 2024. Their relationship did not become physical while she was in custody.
After her release in April 2024 they exchanged messages. The court heard that she sent him selfies in her underwear. He replied: “You look amazing – very hot. It is going to be sad not to see your happy face.” He also asked if she wanted to “go and get drunk somewhere”.
He bought her Jack Daniels and cola and gave her £100 in cash to spend on clothes. They had sex twice. She missed the curfew at her hostel.
Four days later the woman told her probation officer what had happened. Police arrested the officer and he faced a charge of misconduct in a public office.
The prosecutor said the officer had exploited a vulnerable woman. She had led a troubled life and had suffered domestic abuse repeatedly, the court heard.
In his defence, the officer said they had only planned to go for a drink once she was out.
He pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office. He received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
HM Prison and Probation Service said most of its staff met high standards of conduct. Its spokesperson said misconduct of any kind would not be tolerated. Breaches could lead to dismissal or a prison sentence, they added.
HMP & YOI Styal is a closed prison for women in the North West. Its last full inspection before this case took place in March 2025. Inspectors rated safety and purposeful activity as not sufficiently good. Respect was reasonably good and preparation for release good.
